Sling kids time travel eco-capsule

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The younger generation in Sling in the Forest of Dean have launched a time capsule to communicate with villagers from the 22nd century and beyond.

Children from Ellwood Primary School joined community homes organisation Two Rivers last week to bury the memory bank, containing a host of souvenirs from Sling in 2012, in the foundations of a community development of 18 new family homes in the village.

The stash included art and written work celebrating the Queen's Jubilee and the Olympics, school newsletters and photographs.

The £2.1 million development of new energy efficient homes, which is being built for Two Rivers by Gloucester-based Markey Construction, will be ready in the New Year. Each house comes complete with its own electricity generating solar panels.

The scheme has seen 14 old energy hungry post war prefabricated homes swept away to be replaced by seven three bedroomed and seven two bedroomed houses, and four two bedroomed flats – all built to the highest energy efficiency standards.

Two Rivers is a not for profit organisation with over 3,800 homes in the Forest, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, for low cost rent and shared ownership.

The new development at Sling is part of a major investment drive which will see Two Rivers build over 380 affordable quality homes over the next few years.

Two Rivers community Board Member Andrea Brown has taken a close interest in the project since its inception.

"We are investing for future generations. These homes are being built with a very high level of insulation, and will help reduce energy consumption by at least 50% compared with their draughty old houses. It's just what the kids would expect.

"And our legacy to future generations is something we have to take very seriously. With climate change very much in the news, responsible organisations are building for the future. We have built over 190 eco-homes over the last few years," she said.

Ellwood Head Teacher Vicki Cole said the children had had great fun thinking about what to put in the capsule.

"Villagers who open this capsule, perhaps several hundreds years ahead of us, could be the direct descendants of our children. How exciting is that? This sort of living history bubble will give them a real taste of life early in the 21st century," she said.

Markey Construction joined Two Rivers in providing and burying the capsule and Richard Dudgeon, managing director of Markey Construction, said the project was all about connecting with local people.

"We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality homes that are environmentally friendly and this scheme is no exception. It's great to be associated with such a community focussed and progressive development and we hope generations of villagers will enjoy living in it," he added.